Scripture for Monday , June 2...Please, note that I will be away from my office from June 2-10th, 2008.

Dear Readers. I will be away from my desk from June 2-June 10, 2008.
Hopefully, I may be able to get these meditations to you via my brother's
computer or possibly via the blogspot: You may wish to try this....
http://scripmed.blogspot.com

(Google)

Scripture for Monday of Ninth week Ordinary Time, June 2,2008: II Peter
1:2-7. Psalm 91:1-2,14-15, 15-16. Mark 12:1-12. Lectionary # 353:

Monday is a difficult day for many people. It is called blue Monday!
Our texts today may be a good antidote for the tough start on a Monday to
the regular work or ministries that we have. The text from II Peter helps
us to think about the virtues necessary to overcome laziness, apathy, or
boredom. They are helpful virtues also during times of controversy,
stress, or outright conflict. The inspired author of II Peter lists a
chain of virtues to offset these threats of everyday life. These first
words of the writer help us to get through stale religious platitudes and
sentimental piety.
II Peter is the last written work of the New Testament. It is best
to think of it as being composed around the year 125 A.D. St. Peter was
already martyred, and someone writing in his spirit continues to carry his
name and probably what he would have said. This use of names of important
persons for a writing is both a characteristic of both the Hebrew
Scriptures as well as the New Testament Scriptues. Scholars call it
pseudonymity and it again shows us the humanness of God's word expressed in
human words and customs. The important message is what is inspired not
the names attached to the writings.
The Founder of the Society of Marianists, the Blessed William Joseph
Chaminade, cited today's text and used it for helping his members to
understand the System of Virtues. He saw the religious as disciples of
Jesus and Mary who would practice the virtues called preparatory,
purification, and consummation virtues for the spiritual journey. He cites
both I Peter and II Peter 5 as foundational. Perhaps, this more organized
arrangement of virtues is like the Sermon on the Mount which encourages us
to practice righteousness (doing God's will as wholesome and holy persons).
Virtues help us to offset obstacles that block us from becoming righteous
in the biblical sense. We see today's reading connects several virtues and
leads us through them toward God. It is God's divine power, God's grace
that "bestows on us everything necessary for a life of genuine piety." (II
Peter 1:5-7)."In this "ladder" of virtues, each virtue is the means of
producing the next. All the virtues grow out of FAITH, and all culminate
in love." (Harper Collins Study Bible, NRSV p.2287-88).
The Gospel reminds us again of the suffering that the righteous son
undergoes. Mark seems to be more allegorical in this parable than
elsewhere, but the ones for whom it is intended realize it puts them on the
defensive and they seek to rid themselves of Jesus. We are reminded that
the Gospel of Mark is always to be read within the shadow of the Cross.
Amen.